KUALA LUMPUR: A leaked FIFA letter revealed that KL City have been slapped with a new transfer ban over unpaid money owed to its former player, Patrick Reichelt, of the Philippines.
The letter, dated Oct 15, which was sent from FIFA's legal hub in Miami, was widely shared on social media and messaging apps yesterday.
Signed by FIFA head of disciplinary Americo Espallargas, the document confirmed that KL City had failed to comply with an earlier ruling in favour of the 38-year-old Reichelt.
"In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, Kuala Lumpur City FC (the Respondent) has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards Patrick Reichelt," the letter stated.
As the salary remained unpaid, FIFA imposed a ban preventing the City Boys from registering new players.
"In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally and nationally has been implemented by FIFA on the Respondent," the letter read, adding that the ban would "remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods."
FIFA also directed the FA of Malaysia to take action, requesting the national body to "immediately implement on the Respondent a ban from registering new players at national level, if not done yet."
The development comes just two months after KLFA president Syed Yazid Syed Omar announced in August that KL City had paid close to RM1 million to settle outstanding cases.
Before that, transfer bans caused registration delays that left KL City unable to register enough players for their Super League opener against Negri Sembilan. The match was called off, Negri were awarded a 3-0 win, and the Malaysian Football League fined KL City RM50,000.
Days later, KL City had to face Kuching City with only 10 players on the pitch, one substitute and no reserve goalkeeper. They suffered a 6-0 defeat.
The club's financial problems date back several years. In 2024, KL City were deducted six league points, fined RM100,000 and stripped of their AFC club licence after failing to make proper payments to the Employees Provident Fund, Socso and the Inland Revenue Board.
Neither KL City nor FAM has issued an official statement on the leaked letter.
In March, forward Reichelt spoke of what he described as a "culture of hiding debts" in Malaysian football, claiming KL City had paid only 40 per cent of the money owed to him from six months of unpaid wages dating back to 2023.
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